to King Gunther, telling him to rejoice, for his
warriors had won the day. Yet to all it was well known that the
victory was due to the prowess of the mighty Prince Siegfried.

Nor did the heralds who were sent to the city with the glad news of
victory forget to tell of the marvellous deeds of the hero.

In Worms there had been grief lest their warriors should be
vanquished, but now the city was full of triumph, and noble dames and
happy maidens gathered round the squires who had brought the good
news.

Then Kriemhild sent secretly for one of the squires, for she wished to
hear without delay all that had befallen her gallant knight. Had she
not mourned his absence and scarce slept the long nights through lest
danger should come nigh so fearless a warrior? Had she not vowed to
herself that she would own no other knight as lord, save only this
great hero? For unawares love had stolen into the tender heart of the
Lady Kriemhild.

When the squire was led to the bower of the Princess, he stood quiet,
modest before the beauteous lady.

'Tell me the dear tidings,' she said, 'stint not thy words, and gold
will I give to thee in plenty.'

Yet at first the Princess had no courage to ask of Siegfried's
prowess.

'How fared my brother Gernot, and how have my other kinsmen fought?
Are many wounded left upon the field?'

Then to her lips sprang the words she would fain have the squire
answer before all others.

'And who did best of any?' said the Princess, and her voice broke, and
her tears fell as she spoke.

But the young squire knew what the maiden wished to hear, and he told
her of the mighty deeds done on the battlefield, and how ever in the
forefront, where the danger was the greatest, was to be seen the
gallant Prince of the Netherlands, his good sword Balmung in his hand.
Of his two royal captives, too, the young squire told, and as
Kriemhild listened to the exploits of her knight, her lovely face
became rosy red with delight.

Well rewarded indeed was the squire for his joyous tidings, for the
Princess gave him costly raiment and ten gold coins as well.

Ere many more days had passed away there came the tramp of armed men
along the banks of the great Rhine river. The troops were coming home.

Then to the windows of the castle rushed the maidens, and among them
was the beautiful Princess, and together they watched as the warriors
rode through the streets of the royal city.

King Gunther himself went forth